They say change is good, but when it comes to a home renovation, it can also be intimidating. If you don’t do the proper planning, a home remodel can quickly go off the rails in terms of time and budget, making you wonder just what you were thinking when you decided to install a new roof or replace your worn siding.
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when they decide to remodel is cutting corners on their contractor. As with most things in life, you truly do get what you pay for when it comes to home renovation professionals.
At the end of the day, everyone wants to drive up to their dream home. By working with a reliable, experienced contractor, you can ensure your home renovation project stays firmly out of nightmare territory.
So how do you know a contractor is right for the job — and where should you even begin your search? Here are 20 tips for finding a contractor for your home remodel.
1. Clearly Define Your Home Remodeling Project
Before you begin reaching out to contractors, know what type of work you would like performed. This may sound obvious, but many homeowners attempt to hire a single contractor to perform a wide variety of renovations — something that generally isn’t a good idea.
Just as you probably wouldn’t see a cardiologist for a broken arm, you also shouldn’t use an interior home renovation company to install a new roof. Your home is a complicated assembly of numerous moving parts, from the plumbing to the electrical system.
As you move through your home remodel, decide which projects are highest on your priority list and target contractors who specialize in those types of jobs. You’ll be more likely to find experts this way, and you will end up much happier with the quality of the work.
2. Ask Homeowners in Your Neighborhood
It’s always a good idea to ask others for references. You may naturally turn to friends and family members, but why not ask a few neighbors, too? Did the family down the street just replace their home’s windows? If the end result looks great, ask them who did the work and if they’re happy with the final product. Take a drive around your neighborhood and look for homes that have undergone recent upgrades. Most homeowners are happy to share their opinion of contractors, especially if they’re pleased with the project.
3. Look at Online Reviews
The internet has revolutionized the way consumers shop for products and services, with 81 percent of people researching online before they buy. Sites like GuildQuality provide consumers with independent, third-party reviews from real homeowners who have used a contractor’s services.
Look online to get an idea of what other people have to say about a contractor. You’ll be able to see a wide range of opinions from homeowners willing to speak up about the quality of the labor, materials and overall workmanship.
4. Don’t Set a Minimum (or Maximum) Number of Estimates
When you’re looking for a contractor for any type of home improvement project, one of the first things you’ll hear is “get three estimates.” The problem with limiting yourself to three is that you really can’t be sure you’re getting a good representation of the options available.
The better choice is to get as many estimates as it takes for you to feel like you’re making a comfortable, informed decision about a contractor. If that happens to be the first one you meet with, great! If not, continue on until you find a highly qualified contractor that feels like the perfect match for your project.
5. Busy Can Be a Good Sign
When you’re ready to say “go” on a home remodel, it’s easy to go with the first contractor with an opening in their schedule. After all, you’re ready to get started, and you want the job done as soon as possible.
However, a contractor with a lot of time on their hands isn’t always a good sign. A reputable, experienced contractor is likely to be in high demand, which means you might have to wait a few weeks or even a couple months to get on their schedule. When you consider that you’re making a significant investment in your home, however, isn’t it worth waiting for a contractor you trust to do an exceptional job?
6. Trust Your Instincts
There is something to be said for “going with your gut.” You and your contractor — and the construction crew — are going to interact at various points, from the contract drafting and negotiation process to the completion of the work on your home.
Make sure you have a good rapport with the contractor. If you get a bad feeling from the start, it could be an indication that the project isn’t going to end up with a good result.
7. Go with a Pro
The do-it-yourself industry has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it has inspired everyday people to try their hands at complicated projects best left to the professionals. The problem for the average homeowner is that it’s not always easy to distinguish between true pros and individuals who perform weekend jobs on the side.
This is where it’s important to spend time talking to potential contractors. Ask questions and don’t be afraid to demand proof of the contractor’s experience and credentials. An experienced contractor will expect this and will be happy to provide the information you need to feel confident about putting your home in their hands.
8. Ask How Long the Contractor Has Been in Business
You don’t have to look hard to find horror stories from homeowners who have been dissatisfied with a contractor’s work, only to end up unsuccessfully chasing the contractor through the court system in an effort to recoup money for an incomplete or unsatisfactory job. Unfortunately, it’s relatively easy for a small company to close shop when a lawsuit threatens, only to open up under a new name a few months down the road.
The risk of encountering this type of issue decreases significantly when you work with a contractor that has been in business for several years or even decades. A contractor with an established reputation and a long history of verified reviews isn’t going to disappear in the night.
9. Review Past Jobs
Take a look at the work the contractor has performed in the past. This is another area where the internet has given homeowners incredibly useful tools for researching potential contractors. Most experienced contractors have a photo gallery of their recent projects on their websites. Do you like what you see? Chances are, the contractor can deliver the same results for your home.
Source: building renovation calgary
